Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Awards Now Open for Applications

SACRAMENTO—The California Environmental Protection Agency today announced that applications are now being accepted for the 2016 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA), the state’s most prestigious environmental achievement award. Applications are available at www.calepa.ca.gov/Awards/GEELA/.

The GEELA program recognizes individuals, organizations and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership for voluntary achievements in conserving California’s resources, protecting and enhancing the environment, building public-private partnerships, and strengthening the state’s economy. Applications are due Friday, July 29, 2016.

Californians are environmentally conscious and actively support programs, products and services that protect our stat’s natural resources. The Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award provides a way to raise public awareness of the green mission, goals and products of award recipients. The GEELA winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Sacramento.

This year, GEELA recipients will be chosen from five categories and one subcategory:

Climate Change

Automobile Dealer Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Promotion

Ecosystem and Land Use Stewardship

Environmental Education

Sustainable Practices, Communities or Facilities

Waste Reduction

New this year, nominees will submit their GEELA applications and supporting documents using an online portal that is secure and easy to use.

Established in 1993, the GEELA program is administered by the California Environmental Protection Agency in collaboration with the Natural Resources Agency; the Department of Food and Agriculture; the State Transportation Agency; the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency; the Labor and Workforce Development Agency; the Health and Human Services Agency; and the Governor’s Office.